We are getting a rescue cat - tips for choosing please

We have been catless for a few years now and are going to take the plunge again. I'm getting a cat flap installed and we will be ready to go.

Any tips? I don't want a kitten but an older cat. Don't mind if it's missing bits and pieces and doesn't have to be beautiful. I want one with a bit of character who is good with kids, (6&8). Getting all broody

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He's about 2 yo. He has the most fantabulous white chest. He is very cuddly already. He's got something missing from the end of his tail but he was a stray so we don't know what that was. I think that he will be very comfortable in a few weeks. He's been downstairs this evening and dh has given him some spare salmon!

Update: we went to view said cat. He was amazingly laid back especially with my overactive 6 yo...well to a point. We had a family vote 3:1. Dh thought he was fat and ugly! How dare he! Anyway he bowed to public pressure and said 'don't blame me when he gets stuck in the cat flap' harrumph. Anyway, we picked him up on Sunday. He's been amazing! He didn't stay put in one room for very long. He's pretty familiar with upstairs already and will let ds stroke him....but is still wary!

The first night he meowed all night, like having a baby in the house again. At about 2am I went to see him and he was all over me for cuddles, bless! Second night he started meowing as soon as we went to bed. I said to dh maybe he needs the light on! And then he was fine....a cat scared of the dark?? But he has been naughty and ventured down stairs to raid the scrap food caddy. Here was pork fat all over the kitchen counter....

We deliberately chose a black cat when we got our first. I was broaching the idea of having cat with DH and he wasnt 100% sure, then one day said If were having a cat, were having a black one so thats what we got. He used to play with our neighbours cat and when they moved away he pined for her so we went to the local rescue to pick him a friend. The available cats were fostered with a lady and we went into the room so see them. I fell for a little black and white girl but while I was looking at her a tiny tabby kitten climbed into my handbag and looked at me as if to say Im ready to come and live with you so thats how we chose her. Both of them have now passed away and are greatly missed. Our other cats have come from various places and we currently have seven of them, Personality has always won out over colour for me though I have to say one of them was chosen purely because of his amazing ginger tabby coat.

About 6 years ago now we took in our lovely Benji. She spent the first week hiding behind the sofa under the radiator and only came out at night to eat and poop when we were in bed (or out of the house). Now she is the most loving animal I've ever owned. We have trained her using reward techniques to be picked up, stroked and finally in the past 4 years she has been turning into a lap cat. (Took her 3 years to do that!).

It can be so rewarding seeing a little animals' life turned around for the better. She had been abused in her last home and by boys where she used to live, so she's still a bit wary of men and their voices, but once she gets to know you she loves nothing better than to play and get stroked. Her favourite activity is running up and down the stairs chasing balls and playing tennis with us!

We have a black & white rescue cat - she looks like she should be on the Felix packets.

She chose us when we walked into her pen (with a 4 and 2 yr old) and she wrapped round our legs and let the kids pet her. She will swipe if she is being prodded/picked up by children etc, but only a warning shot. Kids have learnt to be nice to her

Oooo I see the thread has burst in to life again. Thanks for all the tips.

Well we registered with a couple of rescue centres in the area and we've just had a home visit. The centre doesn't have pens but their cats are fostered, so we will go and see a pussibilty tomorrow.

The first question was 'what are you looking for' to which my ds 6 piped up 'a black and white cat' I then said an older cat that's a bit laid back and ok with kids. She showed me a cat called Jooster - I think I'm in love already! He is black and white - does my ds have ESP? and dh said 'oh it looks like Cosmo.' (our other cat, no longer with us) Apparently he is a real character. I'm all excited now but a bit nervous. Ds is a real live wire (border line ADHD) and the woman at home visit mentioned his 'energy' I know the cat will be wary in any case but how do you work out wariness with incompatibility? He sounds perfect. Btw they don't know what he's like with kids as he was a stray so don't know his history - but he is very laid back.

We've got three rescue cats, and our local CPL are very happy for you to just go into the pens and visit with the cats to see what you think.Our black and white one had been with them for 11 months, bless her - she came over as very shy in the pens, but really came out of herself after a week.

I would say the shy but basically friendly ones take about two weeks to come round on average. But I've had some that have been terrible in the pen, really cowering and hissy, but within about half an hour of being in my house they're all purry and happy.

Unfortunately I think you're right about the black cats Toughasoldboots. When we went to Cattersea on Saturday I overheard a woman tell her children not to fall in love with a black and white cat. She was really playful and straight up to the glass to greet people but the mum vetoed because of her colouring. Can anyone explain what the problem is? I have a soft spot for tabbies and white cats because of cats I've known in the past but I'm not going to pick a cat based on that.

How long are the ones who hide away in their pens but are described as affectionate once they get to know you likely to take to come around? We'd like to pick one that most people would overlook but don't want a cat that's going to hide behind the sofa for six months.

Oh and I had said not a long haired one, so we had overlooked our cat initially. But then the staff said to meet him as he seemed very child friendly, he'd only been there 3 weeks so they really knew their stuff.

Ironically he sheds less than the short haired ones I used to have, really soft long hair. No idea why but almost no grooming needed at all either.

We took our kids with us to the rescue to see the cat's reaction! One was 3 and the other nearly 2 at the time. Saw a few nervous cats but then one seemed very friendly. Took the kids into the pen with it, it was bombproof. DS (nearly 2) dropped the litter tray, tried to feed him litter pellets, climbed all round him, poked him gently in the eye ('Eye!' 'Ear') and the cat's only reaction was calm interest. I picked him up and stroked him, DD cuddled him. Totally calm.

We knew we had found our cat. He's amazing with the kids, we love him!